Difference Between 45 ACP and 45 GAP Pistols (With Table)

Pistols are a type of handgun which are much smaller in size as compared to a typical gun. Pistols are majorly used by people for safety purposes. Just like guns, pistols can also work in different forms, such as, there could be fully automatic pistols or semi-automatic pistols or manual shot repeating pistols or single-shot repeating pistols, and more.

Moreover, pistols also have different types of ammo that are used in them. The ammo which is used in a specific pistol generally becomes the identity of those pistols. Such as in the case of 45 ACP pistols and 45 GAP pistols. Both of these pistols use ammo of 45 ACP and 45 GAP respectively.

45 ACP vs 45 GAP Pistols

The main difference between 45 ACP pistols and 45 GAP pistols is that the 45 ACP pistols operate at a lower pressure level as compared to the 45 GAP pistols, which is equal to about 21,000 psi. While on the other hand, the pressure level with which the 45 GAP pistols operate is higher as compared to 45 ACP pistols, which is equal to about 23,000 psi.

The word ACP in the name of the gun 45 ACP pistols stands for Automatic Colt pistol. The 45 ACP pistols show a high rate of accuracy and precision when it comes to shooting the target. As a result, this pistol is quite famous and is used by different shooters and the army as well.

The word GAP in the name of the gun, 45 GAP pistols, stands for Glock auto pistol. the 45 GAP pistol is another quite popular type of pistol which is used prominently. Moreover, law enforcement agencies of about 4 different states have made the 45 ACP pistol their standard pistol and their service gun which would be used by people such as the police. 

Comparison Table Between 45 ACP and 45 GAP Pistols

What are 45 ACP Pistols?

The 45 ACP pistol or also known as the 45 automatic colt pistol was designed by Jhon Moses Browning in 1904. The 45 ACP pistol uses a bullet with a diameter equal to 0.452 inches. The size of the cartridge in the 45 ACP pistol is bigger. As a result, the power of the gun increases as well, because as the size of the cartridge of the gun increases, the penetration level of the bullet also increases.

Moreover, another reason why the 45 ACP pistol is so popular is that it is not very expensive as compared to other guns and is easily available as well. The pistol is being used for years and years and is still counted as one of the best pistols. It is known that the 45 ACP pistol is considered the most original pistol among the rest of the different types of pistols.

The 45 ACP was advanced into a further couple of variants that had more features. Two of the variants of the 45 ACP pistol are the 45 super, which operates at a pressure level equal to about 28,500 psi, and the second one is 450 Rowland, which operates at a pressure level equal to about 40,000 psi.

What are 45 GAP Pistols?

The 45 GAP pistol or also known as the 45 Glock auto pistol was designed by Ernest Durham in 2003. The size of the 45 GAP pistol is smaller compared to the 45 ACP pistol which makes it easier to control and handle. 

When the law enforcement agencies of 4 different states accepted the 45 GAP pistol as their standard service gun, it made the gun gained a lot of popularity among people. However, since the gun was used by service people, it hindered the availability of the gun. As a result, guns became hard to buy for people. 

The gun operates at a pressure level equal to 23,000 psi which makes it a stronger pistol as compared to the 45 ACP pistol.

Main Differences Between 45 ACP and 45 GAP Pistols

1. The full form of ACP in 45 ACP pistols is the Automatic Colt pistol. Whereas the full form of GAP in the 45 GAP pistol is the Glock auto pistol.
2. The 45 ACP pistols operate at a pressure level of 21,000 psi, which is lower as compared to the 45 GAP pistols. While on the other hand, the 45 GAP pistol operates at a higher pressure level as compared to the 45 ACP pistol, which is equal to 23,000 psi.
3. The weight of the single bullet used in the 45 ACP pistol is equal to 230 grains, which is higher as compared to the weight of the single bullet used in 45 GAP pistols. On the contrary, the weight of the single bullet used in the 45 GAP pistols is equal to 200 grains.
4. The size of the 45 ACP pistol is slightly bigger as compared to the 45 GAP pistol. On the other hand, the size of the 45 GAP pistol is slightly smaller as compared to the 45 ACP pistol.
5. The 45 ACP pistol is not recognized by any law enforcement agency of any state to use 45 ACP pistol as their standard service gun. However, on the other hand, the 45 GAP pistol is recognized by law enforcement agencies of 4 different states to use 45 GAP pistol as their standard service gun.

Conclusion

Though both the pistols have their advantages and disadvantages, comparing both pistols, the 45 GAP pistol comes out to be a better pistol as compared to the 45 ACP pistol. However, the 45 ACP pistol is more popular as compared to the 45 GAP pistol. The reason behind that is because it is less expensive and readily available.

References

1. https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/abstractdb/AbstractDBDetails.aspx?id=43603
2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403484

Sandeep Bhandari

Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.